Wife Wanted (1946)
When acting roles become scarce, an actress (Kay Francis) become a partner in a real estate company. But what she doesn't know is that it's a scam that will lead her to become unwillingly involved in blackmail and murder. Based on the novel by Robert E. Callahan and directed by Phil Karlson (KANSAS CITY CONFIDENTIAL). In the 1930s, Kay Francis was one of Hollywood's most popular stars (she was Warners highest paid actress for several years) but by the 1940s, her film career was fading and it ended with this poverty row B from Monogram, a far cry from her glamour days. It's not terrible but there's a definite low budget exploitation sleaziness to it and some of the acting is poor. Phil Karlson would go on to direct several admired noir films in the 1950s. With Paul Cavanagh, Robert Shayne, Veda Ann Borg and Teala Loring.
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I'm thinking about doing a blog post on Kay Francis at Monogram. I recently picked up the three films she did for the studio. (The others are Divorce and Allotment Wives.) I'd like to see more of her films from the 30's. She was good opposite Bogart in King of the Underworld. And of course, Trouble in Paradise.
ReplyDeleteUntil a few years ago, I'd never seen a Kay Francis film. I've quickly become a big fan.
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